Marsh Fritillary Project

The marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) is a native butterfly which has become increasingly scarce due to loss of suitable habitat.

Cross Hands and the surrounding area holds one of the last remaining strong populations in Britain, and needs our help to survive. Working with local people, the Marsh fritillary project aims to secure appropriate management of a substantial area of marshy grassland habitat, and funding is available to landowners for grazing management to achieve this.

Ideal habitat would be damp marshy fields containing tussocky grasses and devil’s-bit scabious (a purple flower which can be seen flowering in late summer). You may even have seen some butterflies flying in early summer.

If you think you may have suitable habitat we would be interested in talking to you about managing your land in return for an annual payment. How much you are involved with this would be up to you. Management agreements are compatible with the Single Farm Payment Scheme and Glastir. We are also looking for suitable land to purchase.

Do you have stock available for summer grazing?

Cattle and pony grazing is ideal for managing marshy grassland and we are looking for stock to graze on sites in the area.

If you would like to find out more, please contact Amanda Evans, Conservation Project Officer, Mynydd Mawr Woodland Park, Heol Hirwaun Olau, Tumble, Llanelli, SA14 6HU. 01554 742637 / 07817 699944.

From the Carmarthenshire Environment Partnership July 14 newsletter.